He always wants to be on my head! HELP!!

[nicolee003]

So we have a 3 month old conure that we've had for about a month now. He ALWAYS wants to be on my head (which would be fine if he didn't bite my hair and break it off so that it looks ridiculous). I cannot get him to stop trying to be up there. Every time he climbs up or flies to my head I put him on my shoulder, then if he keeps trying to climb up I put him in his cage to try to get him to learn but it's not working! Any suggestions?

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

You can try this when he is on your shoulder. First, if you have long hair that he can climb on, pull it over with a clip to the opposite side. Also, be sure he has something on your shoulder to stand on that isn't slippery, like not direct on skin or slippery shirt - you can drape a t-shirt or towel on there.

Then using hand opposite side of shoulder, create a barrier between his and you. Your hand will be firm like a karate chop posture and you can talk to him and each time he tries to jump on on your hand, you can slide him over a bit away from your head. If he settles down let him know he's done well. After all this time with Pritti, sometimes he gets so excited and wants to climb all over me instead of perching on my shoulder or my lap or my chest if laying down, so i'll do the hand thing. He gets the point after a couple of minutes and calms down, then I make my hand into a snuggle ball shape and he cuddles up next to it, or in the crook of my neck.

As for the flying over -- can you intercept him with your arm or finger so that he lands on it. Like put it up in front of your head. Also I wonder if wearing a hat or cap or something would deter him for a while.

Lots of luck.

 

[nicolee003]

Thanks Ill try that! And yes I have tried hats and he still wants to be up there. As for the flying, sometimes I can intercept him but other times he comes from the back and I don't even know hes coming lol

 

[MaraWentz]

Thanks Ill try that! And yes I have tried hats and he still wants to be up there. As for the flying, sometimes I can intercept him but other times he comes from the back and I don't even know hes coming lol

MY RFM does that and within the last 3 weeks she has perfected flying practically straight up, so while she is walking around by my feet and I'm baking or doing make up, all of a sudden there is a bird on my shoulder. First rule: learn to embrace the unexpected. Second rule: block the bird from landing, and if that fails go back to rule number one:09:

 

[momto3]

Birds are smart and your bird will figure out that he can't be on your head if you keep him off of your head. Every time he gets on your head, take him off. Reward him for being off of your head. Occupy him by doing other things to distract him from this behavior. He will get it eventually. When we first got our Blue Crowned conure he wanted to be on our shoulders constantly and was very good at ignoring our hands and hiding on our backs so that we couldn't get him off. We had to work consistently for about 4 days just always plucking him off the shoulder if he made it on or keeping him off. He figured it out and now only goes to the shoulder if we let him. Just be consistent and he'll get it.

 

[MonicaMc]

What about target training him? And once he understands targeting, then target him to fly to your arm or shoulder instead?

The most Important skill to train

 

[nicolee003]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Ill be trying everything

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

If all else fails, get a nice pointy hat, like from the wizard of oz, the wicked witch.
just kidding. It'll all work out fine now that you have suggestions and are wanting to implement. good luck.